2000
Borys and Lubow Zura, 44 acres
Edenville Township, Midland County

Decades ago, Borys and Lubow Zura, residents of the Detroit suburbs, purchased an 80-acre parcel “Up North,” planning to eventually move away from urban life. They never chose to pursue that dream and sold off 40 acres that fronted M-18 for commercial development. While they had offers for the remaining 44 acres of wetlands, their accountant suggested donating the land to a qualified organization. After calling the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Zuras were put in contact with The Little Forks Conservancy.

The Conservancy accepted the donation in 2000 and held it for two years. Similar to the Starks property, it was determined that the best situation for the land would be to protect it with a conservation easement and return it to private ownership. With the support of the Zuras, the property was sold in 2003 restricting future subdivision and damaging activity.